Camber bolts with eccentric washers
04-23-2007, 10:44 AM
#1
Camber bolts with eccentric washers
I took in the max for alignment and the shop said the car needed new camber bolts. After they ordered two sets of camber bolts, it turns out none of them have eccentric washers, whicht the shop said is the only bolt types they would install. Anyone know where to find these besides dealership?
04-24-2007, 08:00 AM
#4
Shox.com has ingalls only. I called ingalls and they say the bolts themselves are in eccentric shape and they don't know of anyone that makes eccentric washers for this car model. They also said washers don't go well together with mcpherson struts due to the lack of solid strut fence. The shop itself ordered 5 different camber sets and none of them have washers, I assume moog was one of them. I just talked to the manager and he said they'll be able to do some shavign and weldign around the strut to make it work. Apparently the alignment is severely out of spec, hence the need for this. I ran through my front tires in less than 4 months, so he's probably right.
04-24-2007, 10:54 AM
#6
I believe it's frame damage. They even suggested taking it to a frame shop. The way the shop will do it they'll use the existing bolts but with some physical modifications around. That way I save on material and they charge me 1h labor in addition to alignment cost.
04-24-2007, 10:57 AM
#7
Stay away from camber bolts. they're called crash bolts for more reason than one. I've had bad experiences with them, and I tried two high quality brands- Ingalls and something else.
You should be able to fix your alignment with other methods that are safer and better to do.
exactly what are your alignment numbers, and what all have you done to the car (mods-wise).
if I know that, I can help guide you to a better solution than crash bolts.
You should be able to fix your alignment with other methods that are safer and better to do.
exactly what are your alignment numbers, and what all have you done to the car (mods-wise).
if I know that, I can help guide you to a better solution than crash bolts.
04-24-2007, 11:00 AM
#8
Originally Posted by anaximander
I believe it's frame damage. They even suggested taking it to a frame shop. The way the shop will do it they'll use the existing bolts but with some physical modifications around. That way I save on material and they charge me 1h labor in addition to alignment cost.
With those crash bolts mentioned above, I've seen them come loose several times, causing your camber to change mid-corner if you hit a bump or something to that effect. that is NOT a good feeling when you're rounding a corner, hit a bump, then have to yank the wheel another 1/4 turn just to stay on the road.. been there, done that. NEVER again.
04-24-2007, 11:44 AM
#9
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
The easy way to do it is to enlarge the holes in the strut itself, giving you the adjustment room needed... then sand/grind off the paint around the bolt holes and add another set of washers that fit VERY snugly against the 12mm strut bolts.. put the car on the alignment rack and get everything lined up the way you want it, then tack weld the washers onto the strut. this provides a very strong and secure way to set your camber.
With those crash bolts mentioned above, I've seen them come loose several times, causing your camber to change mid-corner if you hit a bump or something to that effect. that is NOT a good feeling when you're rounding a corner, hit a bump, then have to yank the wheel another 1/4 turn just to stay on the road.. been there, done that. NEVER again.
With those crash bolts mentioned above, I've seen them come loose several times, causing your camber to change mid-corner if you hit a bump or something to that effect. that is NOT a good feeling when you're rounding a corner, hit a bump, then have to yank the wheel another 1/4 turn just to stay on the road.. been there, done that. NEVER again.
Great info matt..
I have heard more than a few bad things about camber bolts,and your input really "seals the coffin" on camber bolts as an option for me..Especially the way i drive..
04-24-2007, 11:44 AM
#10
Originally Posted by anaximander
I believe it's frame damage. They even suggested taking it to a frame shop. The way the shop will do it they'll use the existing bolts but with some physical modifications around. That way I save on material and they charge me 1h labor in addition to alignment cost.
that is the best long term solution IMO.
04-25-2007, 02:14 PM
#11
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
The easy way to do it is to enlarge the holes in the strut itself, giving you the adjustment room needed... then sand/grind off the paint around the bolt holes and add another set of washers that fit VERY snugly against the 12mm strut bolts.. put the car on the alignment rack and get everything lined up the way you want it, then tack weld the washers onto the strut. this provides a very strong and secure way to set your camber.
With those crash bolts mentioned above, I've seen them come loose several times, causing your camber to change mid-corner if you hit a bump or something to that effect. that is NOT a good feeling when you're rounding a corner, hit a bump, then have to yank the wheel another 1/4 turn just to stay on the road.. been there, done that. NEVER again.
With those crash bolts mentioned above, I've seen them come loose several times, causing your camber to change mid-corner if you hit a bump or something to that effect. that is NOT a good feeling when you're rounding a corner, hit a bump, then have to yank the wheel another 1/4 turn just to stay on the road.. been there, done that. NEVER again.
I asked them if it was frame damage, they said no, the camber was just way out of specs. Car seems fine now, thanks guys.
04-26-2007, 05:46 PM
#17
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
The easy way to do it is to enlarge the holes in the strut itself, giving you the adjustment room needed... then sand/grind off the paint around the bolt holes and add another set of washers that fit VERY snugly against the 12mm strut bolts.. put the car on the alignment rack and get everything lined up the way you want it, then tack weld the washers onto the strut. this provides a very strong and secure way to set your camber.
With those crash bolts mentioned above, I've seen them come loose several times, causing your camber to change mid-corner if you hit a bump or something to that effect. that is NOT a good feeling when you're rounding a corner, hit a bump, then have to yank the wheel another 1/4 turn just to stay on the road.. been there, done that. NEVER again.
With those crash bolts mentioned above, I've seen them come loose several times, causing your camber to change mid-corner if you hit a bump or something to that effect. that is NOT a good feeling when you're rounding a corner, hit a bump, then have to yank the wheel another 1/4 turn just to stay on the road.. been there, done that. NEVER again.
04-27-2007, 07:06 AM
#19
Originally Posted by James92SE
Interesting, never thought of that. Although, if you ever needed to adjust the camber again in the future, wouldnt you need to remove the washers and then weld them back in place each time?
but it takes 10 minutes to pull the struts off the car, then clamp them in my bench vise and go to town with a disc grinder. washers are cheap.
all done, it took me about 45 minutes to remove both front struts, grind off all 8 washers, then remount it all back on the car. not a huge deal considering you do it at most once a year.. for a street car, you shouldn't have to adjust the camber again after you get it set unless you change ride height or other major suspension work.
A race car is a bit different story and I'd recommend camber plates and/or adjustable control arms there. but this is a street car we're talking about.
04-27-2007, 07:08 AM
#20
Originally Posted by internetautomar
You gave them up 
and gone got them
and gone got them
04-27-2007, 01:40 PM
#23
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
nope.. I was tired of being involved and grouped in with all those hypocrites.
and yes, it's in the past. most of those people are gone now.
and yes, it's in the past. most of those people are gone now.
04-27-2007, 03:11 PM
#25
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
You want to be a mod again? I've been asked to be a mod on a forum that Russ tried to get banned off of.
I've got enough on my plate, thanks.
.
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